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27 replies

Hope All First Years Are Off and Running!

KrakatoaKrakatoa1,000+ posts
So we dropped the boy off at his school and left, amidst a sea of tears and choked words, early Satuirday morning for the combined 20 hours of flights, layovers, and buses back to Seoul. It was as gut-wrenching as I'd expected.

Then, the mnext morning while sitting in the aiport, we received a text message from him saying his roommate had come by not five minutes after we left with a half dozen girls he happened to know (he's local), and T. said they did a great job of cheering him up and letting him know he was amongst new friends.

His roommate's parents are godsends.....angels, as is Infield08 and her husband... I could put together a long list of others who have stepped forward and said, "Don't worry for even a second; we'll take care of him."

The generosity of strangers (now friends) was humbling and heartwarming. I am in awe of the kindness of people.

Additional text messages over the past couple days indicate that all is going to be well. He's going out with groups of new friends to Target, to the outdoor movies, to the dining hall, to off-campus eateries.....and he hasn't even met the baseball team yet! The kid is in heaven. Talk about a great fit. This is what it's all about.

I know there will be rough days when classes begin and practices begin and he'll be feeling overwhelmed and sorely tested....but with this tight-knit group of students on a little hilltop overlooking San Antonio.....he'll find his way.

How is your son adjusting? Or daughter?!
"I would be lost without baseball. I don't think I could stand being away from it as long as I was alive." Roberto Clemente #21
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CM Coach May1,000+ posts
I am with FF on this one. My son says it is everything he always dreamed it would be. He really likes his room mate and all the players are great guys. This is the same kid that when he was 12 we sent him away for a week long baseball camp. He never called us the entire week. Around Thursday my wife called and spoke to the coaches and they said "Jeff is fine." We asked him when we picked him up why he never called us. He said "I knew you guys were OK."

There is no doubt it is a lot tougher on the parents at least in our case than it is on the young men.
Infield08Infield081,000+ posts
Krak, I plan to call T tonight or tomorrow to check on him. Sounds like things are going swimmingly for him!

My son has been enjoying hanging out not only with his own new teammates, whom he thinks are "really cool," but also a summer teammate who will be pitching at a nearby jr. college. Today, IF08 son and his summer buddy spent some time at a fishing hole. A last gasp of free time before classes and baseball activities begin tomorrow at 8 a.m.!

Honestly, it was harder driving our son up to college than returning home. We dreaded dropping him off, but were incredibly encouraged by all that the head baseball coach had to share during a dinner for freshman players and parents. The coach, who is in his early 30's, is wise beyond his years and is huge on moral and character development. We know we are leaving IF08 son in excellent hands and it really lifts our spirits.

Best wishes to all the '08 players as they begin their new college adventures!
MN-MomMN-MomHSBaseballWeb Owner
quote:
we received a text message from him saying his roommate had come by not five minutes after we left with a half dozen girls he happened to know


Krak, that definitely gave me a chuckle. Tristan's new roommate sure knows how to make a guy from "out of town" feel welcome!
Big Grin Big Grin

I hope all the freshmen...and freshmen parents...are doing well.

Julie
Last edited by MN-Mom
YoungGunDadYoungGunDadHSBaseballWeb member since 2005
Younggun is also adjusting quite well. Too well if you ask his Dad and Mom! We sit here awaiting his call and then around 10:00pm it comes.

He tells me that he is the undefeated King in pingpong in the game room of the Dorm and that the Champ stays on and keeps playing. Then he is meeting so many new freshmen student-athletes in his dorm that I can't keep up with all the names!

The only baseball verbage I can get out of him so far is that he thinks the Head Coach recruited a bunch of talented players and he can't wait to get started.

And yes, mom and dad are doing much better now knowing he is staying busy so as not to miss us and home.
L lafmom5,000+ posts
Meeting those of the opposite *** does somehow seem to help with any adjustments. My daughter moved in on Friday to her school and dorm. Calls me today "**** and I are going to dinner with some guys". Huh? What guys? Where did you meet them? What's their names? Huh?

She's been sweet and calling to check on mom though. My son called her from his National Guard training to tell her "make sure and call mom because she'll be lonely". Smile In some ways I think they worry as much about us as we do them. Well, yeah... probably not!!
B 1BDad100+ posts
Well, dropping her off was tough, but we survived it. With one week down, to include her first birthday away from home, all systems are go. She's not even calling home everyday....who is this kid I raised??? Doesn't she need to talk to her Dad daily??? lol

We kicked her out of the nest and I think she's starting to fly....what a beautiful thing...I guess.....
KrakatoaKrakatoa1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by JT:
So we dropped the boy off at his school and left, amidst a sea of tears and choked words,
I assume that was just from you and not the missus Smile


Both! The first time it hit, I was standing in a convenience store on our final drive into campus, with a bag of gummy worms and a soda in my hands, in the back of the store where no one could see me......until a stockboy came out of the cooler and into the little hallway I was standing in (customers are probably NOT supposed to be there!) and saw me standing there, gummy worms and all, standing statue-still trying not to blubber out loud. I wonder what he thought was happening?

Then a couple hours later as we realized we had to leave....that last minute before closing his door with a final "Do your best. I love you," through the final three inches of open door.....

And then the roomate has to ruin a perfectly good melancholy moment by showing up with a harem of Texas cuties! Wink
Last edited by Krakatoa
DE Double Eagle100+ posts
I was fine untile the hug goodbye - why did no words come out? The campus was great - roommate worked to help set up room - many athletes on floor and in dorm (squash, swimmers, lacrosse)
First meeting with team is Friday but he has already started working out with another freshman who is "really cool". He met captains first night, can't figure if by design or chance.

Schedule is set, classes seem great, and he is sending messages to his younger sisters at a regular rate. Only three days in but it appears that the transition is somewhat smooth.
S SoutherNo1100+ posts
Krak, I was feeling sorry for myself until I realized there are probably lots more folks who have kids who have traveled, as yours has, a half a world away to attend school. Mine is a mere 3 1/2 hrs. from home. I think though, that the physical distance pales in comparison to the emotional distance. I have noticed that Coach May and I have made lots more random phone calls to each other than we ever did prior to last week. He and I are also very lucky in that we have made so many contacts all over our state, that we have more than just our kids to keep track of. It is at once both a trying, and exciting time.
RobVRobV100+ posts
Great to hear all the stories. They all have a lot in common. The kids are fine, and the parents...are dealing with it. Smile

Our son is having so much fun these last several days he's barely texted or emailed us (had to prompt him with a couple messages) let alone call. Wink His room mates are great, and he's meeting a lot of other students and team mates.

Us on the other hand...well...it's getting a little better. cry I was pretty much a wreck after we left him, and the rest of that first day. Still have a hard time walking by his room and can't go in the basement just yet (where we used to train for so long).

But it's getting better, and knowing he's doing so well definately makes us feel good. He's doing great. Cool
C CaBB1,000+ posts
Some how I think this may be the calm before the storm for us recently "deserted" freshman parents. I thought I was fine but the reality of not having him around hit last night. Things are so quiet around the house, I miss his laughter, his activities, pretty much miss everything about him.

But I have to keep reminding myself he's happy and in a great place. For most of these boys it's been a long time goal to go away to college and play ball. It is wonderful they are getting this chance. I'm sure we'll get over it in time, and hopefully sooner than later.

Strangely enough his best friend is moping around the house because he doesn't start college for 3 weeks. So, it isn't just us parents that are having a hard time adjusting.

Misery loves company is so true. It does help to read everyone else is feeling the same. We will get better!
infielddadinfielddad10,000+ posts
Krak,
I'm not sure quite how, but I sure feel like infieldson qualifies as a "First Year."
On Saturday, he will once again leave us, but this time not as a player.
When he arrives in San Antonio, he will be embarking on an entirely new path in baseball, that of the Assistant Head Coach and recruiting coordinator for Trinity U.
I can already see his pride and his drive stepping up.
When we finished dinner on Monday night, he commented on a goal of having every player not be constrained by what they think they can do, but rather be coached and supported to perform at levels they did not think possible, on the field, as a teammate, and off the field.
While it is different, I am just as excited for him as I was when we left him in San Antonio in August of 2000. What a path these last 8 years have taken.
Who would have known the person he has become and the baseball experiences he had...that we got to share.
As satisfying as it has been to look in the rear view mirror, the future and the possibility that exists for him and very soon, his players, is just...... exciting.
fanofgamefanofgame5,000+ posts
CaBB,

My son is at a JC but a couple of his buddies and him are getting an apartment closer to school. Its a 40 min drive each way 5 days a week. Even though he will be close I will miss everything about him living here. Its our last one.
I know its a season and theyre excited to get on their own and all of us want our kids to go and be happy and start to live their lives but it will be a major adjustment for me.'
I actually restarted school yesterday to finish my bachelors because I have been a stay at home parent and I know i need to fill the void of no more kids in the house. Normal chapters in lives but still a hard one for me.
C CaBB1,000+ posts
Infield Dad- that is so cool that your son has come full circle. That is so exciting-hope you can go to some games and cheer them on. You can be the surrogate fan for Krak's son.

Fanofgame-if these boys weren't so darn cute we wouldn't miss them. We have been blessed to have children we feel so strongly about. Good luck with returning to college. That should be very interesting!
Infield08Infield081,000+ posts
quote:
When we finished dinner on Monday night, he commented on a goal of having every player not be constrained by what they think they can do, but rather be coached and supported to perform at levels they did not think possible, on the field, as a teammate, and off the field.


infielddad, it sounds like your son has the perfect goal for his players. They will be blessed to have him as a coach! If you ever get to SA, give me a holler. I enjoyed getting to know Krak's family last week and I'm sure I'd enjoy getting to know you too!

Regarding this part of the goal - "perform at levels they did not think possible" - I think IF08 son just got his first taste of that today during the team's first 6:30 a.m. run. I texted him around noon today and asked how his day was going. He responded, "the running this morning was the hardest thing ever." Tongue-in-cheek, I asked, "Harder than high school?" (He has always maintained that nothing could top the rigors of his high school running drills.) He replied, "Yes, because we were running up a super steep hill." It put a smile on my face because I know the s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g has begun!
J JT1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by infielddad:
When we finished dinner on Monday night, he commented on a goal of having every player not be constrained by what they think they can do, but rather be coached and supported to perform at levels they did not think possible, on the field, as a teammate, and off the field.


That is AWESOME...and gets me fired up! Your son is going to make one fine coach...no doubt about it.
KrakatoaKrakatoa1,000+ posts
ifd, it's beyond awesome that Jason is returning to TU to begin his coaching career. Those boys will benefit tremendously from his experiences beyond college, and from his 'know-what-it-takes' knowledge both for success on the field and in the classroom. I couldn't be more thrilled!

btw, I will PM you T's cel# when I get home. I need to double-check it.
H HitaHomer1100+ posts
Dropped son off almost two weeks ago. The baseball team at his school is a little isolated, so the first few days were not good for him (or me). He is getting along great with his roommate and things are better since school and workouts have started. At the first baseball meeting he was walking up the stairs and ran into a kid he played bb with at IMG a couple summers ago. He was excited to see him as a fellow teammate. He is tired and sore, but doing fine. He is my first to leave so the first week was hard.
BumBum1,000+ posts
Dropped off Bum, Jr. a week ago Tuesday. He has been doing 6am weight lifting, afternoon captains' practices and running, etc. I think he has been too busy to feel lonely. His roommate is his buddy from Spokane (not a baseball player). A very nice Inside Source says he has been accepted well by the older players and is doing what he does best by being quiet and working hard.

He had a dose of reality a few days after arriving at campus when his roomate had to leave for a few days after separating his shoulder in a pickup basketball game. For the first time in his young life, Bum, Jr. was utterly alone for a few days. Except for the texting and cell calls to his girlfriend, of course. Roll Eyes
Last edited by Bum
I iheartbb1,000+ posts
This may give a new meaning to being dropped off:

My sister told me this great story recently.
She lives in Peoria, AZ not far from the baseball complex there. They have been there about 20 years after moving from the Bay Area in CA.
When they moved to their current home it was in the middle of nowhere, with citrus ranches surrounding their 3 acre property. Obviously they have had many years to develop their acerage into an oasis.
Outside their bedroom they have beautiful screeded doors bordered by a lovely trellis on each side with beaugonvillia that has been long established.
This last year a pair of quail (who normally nest on the ground level) decided to nest six feet up in the beaugonvillia, no worries, seemed to be a safe place, until the babies hatched. How to get them to the ground???? One by one the mom kicked them out of the nest to the cement below, (yes the patio), not a compfy pile of compost. Each quail baby fell the six feet to the cement, was dazed and confused momentarily and then marched over to dad who was waiting to show them the way to the rest of the yard, their new home. 17 quail babies landed, and 17 marched away to the acres beyond and disappeared, just like that. My sister watched the whole ordeal and each time thought the baby quail jumping from the nest so high was going to die or be broken in some way. She thought the worst, and was presently surprised by the best.
Rob KremerRob Kremer1,000+ posts
I love reading these vignettes of what is a rite of passage for both boys and parents. I am a year away from sending my second and last child off.

Last week we put my daughter on the plane for her second year of college, and have hardly heard from her since. What a change from her first year!

Yes, iheartbb, those quail are good at it. I doubt I will be similarly detached next summer when I leave my boy off at school, and turn around for the cross country trip home to a house with no kids for the first time in 21 years.

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